素质

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 学校重视学生的综合素质。▶ —
   The school values students’ overall quality.
2. 他文化素质很高。▶ —
   He has a high level of cultural refinement.

Collocations

Mnemonic

素 sù "basic, inherent" + 质 zhì "substance, quality": the inherent substance one has, i.e. quality, calibre, aptitude. Same as the Korean word so-jil (素質). The overall physical, intellectual and moral substance a person has (综合素质 overall quality, 文化素质 cultural refinement, 身体素质 physical fitness). Unlike the inborn 天赋, 素质 carries the sense of an overall foundation also cultivated by education. 素 means "basic, plain" (素材, 朴素); 质 means "substance, quality" (质量, 本质).

Related

Quick check

1. What is the nuance of 素质 versus 天赋?

   • an overall foundation also cultivated by education
   • purely inborn talent
   • a test score
   • amount of wealth